King of nude night clubs takes on incumbent

By: Mike Deeson

Tampa, Florida - It's the campaign between the teacher and the titillator, and both are trying to change public perception.

Joe Redner says voters have got to look beyond his adult businesses and see the person behind it. Council member Gwen Miller says people don't realize stuff she does and how hard she works.

Both candidates are trying to overcome negative images: Redner is trying to erase the Mons Venus as the only image in voter's minds, while Miller is trying to erase her critics' image of an empty seat or a do-nothing council member.

On the issues, Redner is strongly in favor of lower property taxes. Miller says maybe, changing her mind several times during the campaign. Redner would mandate affordable housing, while Miller would give developers a chance to come up with a plan. Redner says he wants to help the city of Tampa and solve the problems the city has.

Miller says the same thing, and even though she sent out a flyer pointing Redner's past, she says that's not important. "People are going to look my job, not his past," Miller explains. "They will ask, 'What has Gwen done for the city of Tampa?'"

But some people in the community don't think she's done enough. Tonya Lewis is a Redner supporter, because she says the area needs a different voice in the community. Still others can't get over Redner's past. A voter who only wanted to be identified as Barbara says she doesn't think he presents a good image for the city.

And while the support for the two candidates is not black and white, there is also a gray area of who will be sitting here the next four years on city council.

Ask the candidates, and they'll both tell you they'll win.

"I think my hard work will pay off," Miller says. "That's why I'm working hard, I think it will pay off for me."

"This time is the time," says Redner.

Today, Tampa voters will choose in one of the hottest and most controversial city elections this area has ever seen.